By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Earlier this year, elections for three new members of the Bexar Appraisal District’s board received little attention from voters. However, as these new members have begun their terms, the significance of their influence on the upcoming property tax season is becoming clearer.
The addition of elected appraisal board positions in Texas’ largest counties was a result of a recent legislative session, part of a broader property tax reform that voters approved last November. However, even the candidates running for these seats were initially uncertain about the extent of their authority, given that these boards have traditionally served administrative roles.
This changed last month when the Tarrant County Appraisal District, which includes Fort Worth, implemented significant modifications to the residential property appraisal process. These changes included reducing the frequency of appraisals from annually to biennially and capping the annual increase in residential valuations at 5%.
In Bexar County, local activists are now advocating for similar reforms to ease the burden on homeowners. Conversely, municipal governments and school districts warn that such changes could severely disrupt revenue forecasting and shrink the tax base for future budgets. While property values in Bexar County only increased by 2.4% this year, they had surged by 16% in 2023 and 28% in 2022.
Susan Bayne, a community outreach liaison for the activist group InfuseSA, which supported her husband Mel Bayne’s unsuccessful bid for the Bexar Appraisal District’s board, emphasized the need for taxpayer relief. She pointed to Tarrant County as a model of a board open to change and expressed a desire to push for similar decisions in Bexar County.
The Bexar Appraisal District’s board will convene on August 20 to discuss county appraisal policies, including proposals similar to those enacted in Tarrant County. A vote on policies covering the next two years is expected the following month.
Following changes made by the Republican led legislature, the Bexar Appraisal District’s board now includes three elected members, five appointed by various county taxing entities, and the county tax assessor collector, who is now a voting member.
Robert Bruce, a conservative activist who won a seat on the Bexar Appraisal District’s board, praised Tarrant County’s actions and expressed his intention to implement similar policies in Bexar County. He has already met with the board chair, Dave Gannon, and Chief Appraiser Rogelio Sandoval, who agreed to discuss these ideas at the upcoming meeting.
While the newly elected board members were initially unsure of their influence, Tarrant County’s actions have set a precedent, raising expectations for similar changes in other counties, including Bexar. However, it remains uncertain how such changes will be received by board members representing the taxing entities.
School districts in North Texas have raised concerns about the potential financial impact of Tarrant County’s new policies, and local governments in Bexar County have taken note. Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, who represents San Antonio on the appraisal district board, has alerted city officials to the issue, emphasizing the potential negative effects on city services if appraisals are conducted less frequently.
Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector Albert Uresti, whose position on the board is statutorily mandated, expressed support for less frequent appraisals. He noted that one of the main complaints from taxpayers is the need to contest property values annually. Moving to biennial appraisals, he argued, could alleviate this burden.
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